Is it possible to trace a stolen PS4?

[DeliveryGodNoah]

My friend has recently had his shiny new FFXV branded PS4 stolen while he was in the shower. Took everything it seems except the power cable.

Anyway, he's already filed a police report, but I was wondering what else could be done to help him.

I read that it's possible to get the PS4's MAC address from your router and give that to Sony so when the PS4 comes online next, they can grab an IP Address from that.

Is it possible to do something like that yourself? Or anything at all?

 

[kanewolf]

If he still has the box the serial number and probably the MAC address will be on the box.

 

[DeliveryGodNoah]

If he still has the box the serial number and probably the MAC address will be on the box.

So is there anything he can do with that other than just giving it to Sony?

 

[nigelivey]

If he still has the box the serial number and probably the MAC address will be on the box.

So is there anything he can do with that other than just giving it to Sony?

No sadly not and I very much doubt Sony will do anything either.

 

[kanewolf]

Sony might ban it from the PS network. The serial number should go to the cops so that it can be flagged. Otherwise, just have to buy a new one.

 

[Christian_129]

Sony won't do a damn thing. I had my PlayStation stolen a year ago and did everything possible not to freak out the theif and get it tracked down though the police. Sony can identify the system and can see its been online with my account. Now I don't know whether it is the police not giving a crap or Sony just wanting me to buy another, I have a feeling that it will never be found. Personally if I were you, call Sony, get it bricked and save for another.
It's been a year and nothing seems to have progressed.
Very disappointed Sony fan boy here!

 

[orangeblue07]

My friend has recently had his shiny new FFXV branded PS4 stolen while he was in the shower. Took everything it seems except the power cable.

Anyway, he's already filed a police report, but I was wondering what else could be done to help him.

I read that it's possible to get the PS4's MAC address from your router and give that to Sony so when the PS4 comes online next, they can grab an IP Address from that.

Is it possible to do something like that yourself? Or anything at all?

 

[orangeblue07]

Yeah, what you are gonna have to do is call the police. Give them the model number and serial number and have the department contact and subpoena Sony for records. Contact Sony Tech Support, give them your model number and serial number and have them flag your console. But you are gonna have to bother the police department every day until they do it. Your MAC Address is linked to your serial number, Sony already knows your MAC address for your system if you don't know it. Have your detective working on your case to contact Thomas Nguyen the Legal Specialist and go from there. But it's gonna take some time. It takes 30 to 90 days to get subpoena records depending on the Police Department and the way they do things. If Sony or the Police decide not to track or trace your PS4 for some reason, at least the subpoena records will give them an idea of the location of your console.

 

[kanewolf]

For a $500 theft, you may not get as much police support as @orangeblue07 suggests. I doubt that any information will be obtained from Sony. Most police departments will say, "we will keep an eye out for it at the pawn shops", "here is an incident report to use with your insurance", "sorry for your loss" ...
You might get lucky and live somewhere that a $500 theft with no injuries is important to the police. Most places that is not the case, unfortunately.